Lambert happy to win ugly

Paul Lambert will be happy if Aston Villa play poorly as long as they win.

It has been a season to forget for Villa as they were knocked out of both the FA Cup and Capital One Cup by lower league opposition, while 21 points from 25 games has left them three points adrift of safety.

Lambert called a team meeting ahead of last weekend's Premier League clash with Everton and made it clear that results is the only thing that matters if they are to stave off the threat of relegation.

The talk appeared to work with Villa holding Everton to a 3-3 draw and Lambert believes there is a reason to be confident.

"It's horrible," Lambert told the Birmingham mail of the club's fight against relegation.

"We’re in a fight and we have to drive ourselves out of it. We had a chat the other day and they know what they have to do.

“The effort they are giving is there in abundance. I believe they can do it and they do themselves.

“We spoke about things and they’ve been pretty positive.

“Winning covers a multitude of sins, it always does, and if you play poor and win, you’d take it.

“You’d settle for that, playing poor and winning. I know you are in the entertainment business but sometimes that doesn’t get you anywhere.

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